An entire block of 11 mid and late 19th century townhouses in Halifax, Nova Scotia, had degenerated over more than a century into badly maintained rooming houses with more than 75 illegally subdivided rooms. These once gracious homes were completely gutted and restored to their original high standard of construction. All damaged decorative plaster was rebuilt with local craftsmen, appropriate brass light fixtures were found and the fireplaces restored to usable condition (4 per house). Modern kitchens, multiple bathrooms and refinished hardwood floors made the townhouses the most sought after homes in Halifax in the mid 1980’s. In addition to the 3,000 square foot homes, each contained an accessory apartment providing affordable housing to a community in need of such, and income to the homeowners.